Everybody knows that testosterone is a hormone that promotes healthy masculinity, sex drive, & muscle growth.
But what many people fail to realize is that it is also essential for a variety of physical, cognitive, and metabolic functions.
Testosterone promotes the growth of muscles, bones, red blood cells, and skin. In middle-aged and older men with lower levels, testosterone treatment has been shown to modestly reduce body fat.[1]
It sure sounds like the ultimate anti-aging formula, doesn’t it?
But this doesn’t mean that everyone should start boosting their testosterone...
Keep on reading to find out the most common signs and symptoms of low daily vitality levels, the benefits of testosterone therapy, and when you should consider starting it.
Let’s get started!
Signs and symptoms of low daily vitality levels
Males start losing testosterone when they hit their 40s, which is a natural phenomenon and is not necessarily a sign of an underlying disorder.[2]
A significantly more rapid or earlier decline in testosterone levels, however, may signal a condition called hypogonadism (low T).
Some common symptoms of low T include:
- Loss of men's daily vitality and changes in sex drive
- Lower sperm count
- Anxiety and depression
- men's daily vitality
- Substantial weight gain and loss of muscle mass
- Hot flashes
- Changes in penis and testicle size
- Breast swelling
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How is low daily vitality diagnosed?
Many men want to self-diagnose themselves with low T levels.
The problem with this is that some symptoms of low daily vitality levels are a natural part of aging.
Therefore, the presence of these symptoms isn’t reliable enough to make an accurate diagnosis.
The most accurate and definitive way to determine if your testosterone levels are below normal is by taking a physician-ordered testosterone level test.
When you go to a doctor for low daily vitality levels, he will take a detailed health history and perform a physical exam.
The doctor will also ask you to take a blood test to measure your T levels as well as a complete blood count test to look at your red blood cell (RBC) count.
RBC testing is important because if you’re diagnosed with low daily vitality, your doctor might suggest testosterone injections for treatment.
And these injections can increase the RBC count to abnormal levels (erythrocytosis), which thickens the blood and may raise the risk of circulation problems.[3]
This is why it’s important to establish a baseline RBC count.
Note: Healthy testosterone levels lie between 300 and 1,000 ng/dL.
The benefits of increasing your testosterone levels
If you’ve been diagnosed with low daily vitality levels, hypogonadism, or require testosterone therapy for other medical conditions, then you may be wondering about the benefits of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT).
Here are a few potential benefits of increasing your testosterone when you’ve got low levels.
Healthier heart and blood circulation
An efficient circulatory system is crucial for an active lifestyle.
Testosterone stimulates the production of oxygen-carrying red blood cells (RBC) in your bone marrow.[4]
This ensures that adequate amounts of RBCs are always present within your body for peak performance.
Studies have also suggested that low daily vitality levels are closely associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events such as coronary artery disease (CAD).
Increased lean body mass
Testosterone plays a vital role in increasing muscle mass and promotes a leaner body.
Studies have shown that testosterone treatment for men with low T levels can lead to a significant loss of fat and helps increase muscle mass and strength.
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Stronger bones
Testosterone plays a significant role in regulating bone mineral density. Bones usually demineralize as their testosterone levels fall due to aging.
This can increase the risk of osteoporosis, which is a condition that makes bones brittle, weak, and more prone to fractures.
Recent research has shown that testosterone therapy can lead to a noticeable increase in bone density, provided that the dosage is high enough.
Better cognitive functioning
Low body testosterone levels are associated with reduced cognitive functions such as verbal memory and a higher incidence of Alzheimer’s disease,
A few studies have also suggested that testosterone therapy can lead to enhanced spatial memory in older adults.
Enhanced men's daily vitality
The levels of testosterone rise naturally in response to sexual activity and arousal. Men with high levels of testosterone generally have increased sexual activity.
Older males may suffer from men's daily vitality and loss of men's daily vitality due to the age-related decline in testosterone levels.
Research has found that testosterone replacement therapy can significantly benefit daily vitality and health in such individuals.
However, it is important to note that loss of men's daily vitality and men's daily vitality can occur in a wide range of other medical conditions as well. Your doctor will rule them out before prescribing you TRT.
Also, there is a maximum limit of testosterone after which there is no further response. For men with normal T levels, increasing your testosterone will not benefit your sex drive.
Better mood
Low body testosterone levels are linked to poor quality of life. Common psychological symptoms of low T levels include depression, irritability, and lethargy.
These symptoms may be especially prominent in individuals with hypogonadism (a condition that causes reduced functional activity of the gonads).
According to many studies, individuals suffering from hypogonadism have shown improved mood, and reduced fatigability and irritability after taking external testosterone.
Sources
- Isidori AM, Giannetta E, et al. Effects of testosterone on body composition, bone metabolism and serum lipid profile in middle-aged men: a meta-analysis. Clinical endocrinology. 2005. PubMed
- Feldman HA, Longcope C, et al. Age trends in the level of serum testosterone and other hormones in middle-aged men: longitudinal results from the Massachusetts male aging study. The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism. 2002. PubMed
- Ohlander SJ, Varghese B, et al. Erythrocytosis Following Testosterone Therapy. Sexual medicine reviews. 2018. PubMed
- Warren AM, Grossmann M Haematological actions of androgens. Best practice & research. Clinical endocrinology & metabolism. 2022. PubMed
